Coach Allen, staff poring over everything during bye week

Most NFL coaches prefer their bye week fall somewhere near the middle of the season. Raiders coach Dennis Allen said his team’s bye week comes at an ideal time, given there’s so much work to do.
Allen said he and his coaching staff will spend an inordinate amount of time breaking down videotape from the first four games in an attempt to find answers as to why the Raiders started this season 1-3.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Allen said Monday, one day after the Raiders lost to the Denver Broncos 37-6. “We’ve got a lot of areas that we’ve got to improve on. This bye week comes at a good time for us, gives us a chance as coaches to look at and evaluate what we’re doing, who we’re doing it with and come up with solutions that can help us get better and help us win some games.”
Specifically, Allen and his staff need to find out why the Raiders are getting outplayed in the second half, why the defense is allowing more than 31 points per game, why the run game is last in the league and how the Raiders can jump-start things for the final 12 games.
This isn’t what Allen hoped to be doing during the bye week. Yet, he said, he is confident that he and his staff can get things turned around before their next game, Oct. 14 against the Atlanta Falcons.
“We’re not going to stick our head in the sand,” Allen said. “We’re going to evaluate everything and see what things we need to improve on and where we can get better, and there’s a lot of things that go into that. We’re going to go from A to Z. We got a lot of getting better to do.”
Free safety Michael Huff was one of many that felt as if the Raiders possessed a top-five defense entering the season.
Watching video tape of the Raiders games, Huff said the most frustrating thing is, he and his defensive mates oftentimes are in position to make plays. Many times, the plays they aren’t making are the kind that has the potential to change the complexion of games.
“Plays are there to be made, but we just don’t make them when it’s time to make them … ,” Huff said. “We see what we can be. We’re still one play here, one play there. It’s there to be had. We just got to make the plays.”
Veteran defensive tackle Richard Seymour sees a Raiders team that is on the verge. The key is, staying the course, paying attention to detail and being accountable.
“We got a week to think about it,” Seymour said, “but anytime you play a game like that, you definitely want to get back on the field and get it going again. We have some work that needs to be done. If you’re a competitor, you accept that challenge. I feel like we’re headed in the right direction.”
Running back Darren McFadden said he isn’t worried about the Raiders ineffectiveness running the ball so far.
“It’s one of those things where you just got to keep running,” McFadden said. “With the zone scheme, it’s going to hit here and there, but you just have to keep running. Stick with it and keep pounding the ball.”

– Right offensive tackle Khalif Barnes underwent a surgical “procedure” 10 days ago in an attempt to expedite the healing of his groin injury, Allen said.
Barnes suffered his injury against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 16. He missed the past two games. He is week-to-week for now, Allen said.

– Injured starting cornerback Shawntae Spencer still needs a protective boot on his right foot, Allen said.
Allen said he won’t be able to gauge Spencer’s status until Spencer sheds the boot. He has missed the past two games, as well.

– Allen said he is “hopeful” of getting back starting wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey from a concussion in time for the Falcons game.
Heyward-Bey got hurt against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 23 as a result of a helmet-to-helmet hit by Steelers safety Ryan Mundy.
He was hospitalized overnight and has not practiced since the injury. He also suffered a strained neck.

– The official stat book from Sunday’s game against the Broncos credited the Raiders with no hits on quarterback Peyton Manning.
The Raiders review of the video from the game showed their defenders actually hit Manning nine times.

– The Raiders are 28th in defense at an average of 411.5 yards and 31.2 points per game. They are 22nd against the run at an average of 128.5 yards.

— The Raiders are last (32nd) in the league in rushing at an average of 60.8 yards per game. They were seventh last season and second in 2010.

– The Raiders lost the first game coming off a bye each of the past nine seasons. They lost those games by an average of 14 points
Up next: a game against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons, the sexy pick as the team most likely to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Once again, 24 has never been able to ignore me,…nice to see some things never change.

AmysInCharge

The C, unsure if you make it up for every game or just the big ones, but we have something special goin on for the Jags game, hope to see you there bro.

bunk moorland

Dennis Alen has two strikes.

strike 1. Bringing in gregg knapp. He has no history of being great. You knew what you got when you hired him, he’s been aroung the league so long and you seen what his track record is, and yet you somehow think that this guy is going to be great? I would of rather seen a first time oc, at least there’s hope that the new guy could be the next sean payton.

strike 2. Smiling with jon fox after the azz kicking that denver gave us. Shows no heart and passion to want to be great. If i worked everyday, 12 hours a day, put all my heart and energy into it, and then see that it was all a failure, dont think i would be acting like allen.

one more strike and he’s out. The pitch coming is what are you going to do with knapp? ( after the season) If you say your going to keep him for 2013, you just struck the fck out, hit the road azzhole.

http://www.GodIsImaginary.com RaiderDuck

Anyway, the Eagles cut Brian Rolle. Should probably kick the tires on him.

Marks hair

Id like to take geno smith this yr.. trade back next yr.. any good rebuild needs a franchise qb.

Thec

AmysInCharge Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:03 am
The C, unsure if you make it up for every game or just the big ones, but we have something special goin on for the Jags game, hope to see you there bro.

+++++++++++

I got season tickets. Sec 120 row 9. I will be at the Jags game. What do you want me to bring bottle wise for ya?

Usually I don’t care for Bleacher Report, but Hansen is a good writer. Some interesting insight in this article.

Just Fire Baby

putting LB’s on of all people MEGATRON!!! Do you remember that?? Huh?

*****************************

I do, and I also remember Chuck crapping the bed week 2 against Buffalo.

I also remember him NOT BEING FIRED during the year, when he clearly should be.

Same will happen with Knapp, you will get another 12 games from him, minimum.

nyraider

If clowney from SC enters the draft, i would not trade down and i would take him. he’s a de/lb thats a freak athlete and most importantly a playmaker

Thec

gotta escape.. All you guys have a good one.

1 NATION

AmysInCharge

Hmmm,…lets see….ah anything you like dude cause we drinkin it together.

AmysInCharge

Later legend, dont work too hard.

inonewordraider

paying Gruden what it takes to come back would bring excitement but would it be a bad move and why?

guest123

bcz24 Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:00 am

So, to the college guys out there, anyone want to start breaking down QBs for me, or any other potential #1 overall picks? My ideal situation for next April (barring a miraculos turn around of course) is that we have the #1 pick, and we are able to trade back for a bounty of picks.

*********

WVU QB Geno Smith has an amazing statistic of throwing more TD’s (20) than he has incompletions (18) on the season. That’s just crazy!

http://www.GodIsImaginary.com RaiderDuck

Inonewordraider Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:07 am
paying Gruden what it takes to come back would bring excitement but would it be a bad move and why?

Pass. Check out his record following his first season (where he won a Super Bowl with Tony Dungy’s team). Very mediocre.

Marks hair

It important we evaluate tp so we know what to do in the draft.. id play tp the rest of the way. Seasons over

Just Fire Baby

If we go 5-11, 6-10 ish, here’s my draft projections:

-First, trade Carson to the Jets (if they also implode this season) for hopefully a 1st, if not a 2nd and a 4th or something, but let’s stick with the 1st for now (we can give them Carson and a 5th if need be to get the 1st from the Jets).

-Trade down from our pick in the 7-10 range, to the 15-20 range.

-Draft either a safety, or edge rusher with our first pick (don’t know the prospects just yet) and draft a QB with the other.

My QB wish in that range is Aaron Murray.

Or we can package the picks to trade up for Geno, who I think will be a top 5 pick.

Let new QB and Pryor battle it for the starting job, probably go 6-10 again, and stock piling lots of young talent defensively.

Not the most exciting, but probably the most realistic.

Just Fire Baby

Geno plays UT this weekend I believe, finally a real challenge for him.

I am sure that place will be loaded with scouts, because frankly, you got derive much when playing Baylor, James Madison and Savannah State.

guest123

Or we can package the picks to trade up for Geno, who I think will be a top 5 pick.

******
or we could roll with TP like Marks Hair said & control our own destiny with a 2-14 mark.

A 1st straight up for Carson might be tough, but don’t count out the ineptness of the Jets to try to stay relevant and make a splash.

If need be, we can attach a late pick or a 2014 3rd rounder or something to get their first.

It can happen.

bcz24

Defensive adjustments to be made this week:

#1. Bryant should be starting on the line, Kelly and Sey should be rotating with each other if anything.

#2. Huff CAN NOT play CB. He and Branch should be sitting in cover 2 looks almost exclusively at this point.

#3. Our CBs should be playing more man. They are not grasping the zone schemes and leaving way to many holes (particularly on the crossing routes). Man coverage man not stop the completion but it should reduce the yac.

#4. Find a way to get 55 to play for 60 damn minutes or get rid of him. He is a liability on the field

guest123

Carson Palmer isn’t going to fetch even a 3rd round pick after the season if we keep marching him out there to take the poundings he’s been taking. This year could shorten his career expectancy by a couple of years. His value is flittering away. Who wants an old QB with no upside. Lot of them on waivers. Look at what Jason Campbell’s career ended up after all that hard work and talk of leading a team to the playoffs. A paltry one year 3 million dollar deal. His time is almost up. It’s not that different when you consider CP3′s age. We overvalue him.

Just Fire Baby

Palmer has value to a team that thinks they need a vet presence at QB to take them over the edge (i.e Jets).

QB’s get traded for massive sums of picks in this league.

guest123

Post 876.

Great take. Except in order of priority, #4 should be listed as #1. Why isn’t there a writeup by Jerry or Cork that details just how sluggish and nonchalant #55 was in that game? Not that he was alone. But look at #55 and all you see is someone who doesn’t care. I don’t think there is a way to get through to him, it’s best to cut our losses and make an example of him.

Marks hair

The jets are the only team that might kinda want cp3… no way we get a 1st.. maybe if we added dmac to the deal.

Pass. Check out his record following his first season (where he won a Super Bowl with Tony Dungy’s team). Very mediocre.
________________________
he went 11 -5 in 05, never had a good qb besides Gannon. Same was said about ratface only winning with Elway but RGIII has ppl referring to him as a “genius” again. I’m big on continuity, why I wanted Hue to take over for Cable (didn’t think Cable was bright enough) and why I wanted Hue to stay on this year but it’s not that we’re 1 -4, it’s that we’re:

1. getting blownout
2. a defensive minded HC has our d playing horrible
3. an oline that was top tier last year is horrible

Bring me Gruden, Marty Schottenheimer or Bill Cowher and i’d bet our team is much more motivated. You want to start small than at least bring a new oline coach, Wylie would be perfect, to get this group back to playing like last year

YoungAmerican

Bring me Gruden, Marty Schottenheimer or Bill Cowher and i’d bet our team is much more motivated. You want to start small than at least bring a new oline coach, Wylie would be perfect, to get this group back to playing like last year

========================

Name one Superbowl-winning head coach who unretired, went to another team as a head coach, and won another Superbowl.

http://www.raiders.com Raider O

Albert Bigelow Paine (Reggie Supporter) Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 7:16 am
Raider O Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 7:05 am
I MISS AL!!
The old man would not toleratethis crap.
That’s a fact!
——–
Really? Who was running the team when they lost at least 11 games 5 years in a row?
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

MR aka Sully,

Why do you think we had so many coaches during that period? Because he tolerated losing? lol

guest123

Jets have too much invested in both Sanchez and Tebow. They just extended Sanchez a big $$ deal. Don’t see them trying to retool so much as gut it all, fire Rex and rebuild like Indy did.

Just Win Baby

Fear not, Toolbags. Shane Lechler will lead this team to VICTORY!

guest123

Name one Superbowl-winning head coach who unretired, went to another team as a head coach, and won another Superbowl.

********

Dick Vermiel comes to mind, ok he was a SB losing coach before unretiring. But it’s pretty close to your criteria anyway.

YoungAmerican

Why do you think we had so many coaches during that period? Because he tolerated losing? lol

===================

He also didn’t tolerate anything even remotely resembling “insubordination”. The only winning coach he managed to hire in the last two decades was one he traded away.

guest123

Better to roll with TP and throw the towel on the season and suck for Geno. What’s the point in only mildly sucking??? The Colts, Skins, Panthers all turning around their franchises with elite QB’s. I hate losing, but it seems like the only way to get a clear turnaround of direction.

inonewordraider

Name one Superbowl-winning head coach who unretired, went to another team as a head coach, and won another Superbowl
___________________
Marty’s won everywhere he’s gone. Shannanahan looks to be competetive now and the near future. Tuna was competetive for multiple teams. Bill Belichek was a loser with Cleveland has a perennial powerhouse in New England. Tom Coughlin was supposed to be fired for years and now he’s a hall of famer. Just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’ mean it can’t happen life is dynamic it isn’t all based on precedence. Do you believe Gruden Schottenheimer or Cowher wouldn’t yield us a better record than 1 -4 or better than how we’ll end the year with Allen as coach?

r8eray

Guest123 Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:25 am
Jets have too much invested in both Sanchez and Tebow. They just extended Sanchez a big $$ deal. Don’t see them trying to retool so much as gut it all, fire Rex and rebuild like Indy did.

Raider O Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 8:25 am
Albert Bigelow Paine (Reggie Supporter) Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 7:16 am
Raider O Says:
October 2nd, 2012 at 7:05 am
I MISS AL!!
The old man would not toleratethis crap.
That’s a fact!
——–
Really? Who was running the team when they lost at least 11 games 5 years in a row?
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

MR aka Sully,

Why do you think we had so many coaches during that period? Because he tolerated losing? lol
——-
He cared about winning his way. Obviously Al would rather have lost 11 games than let his coaches choose their own D-Coordinator.

YoungAmerican

Dick Vermiel comes to mind, ok he was a SB losing coach before unretiring. But it’s pretty close to your criteria anyway.

==========

Right, so none.

The point is, everyone thinks “oh, let’s hire Gruden/Cowher and everything is solved!” And that’s so far from the case.

Listen, the way consistently competitive teams build is by creating a consistent philosophy through the front office, the scouts, and the coaching staff. Then it’s a matter of the scouts finding the right players to execute the concepts that the coaching staff wants to implement.

It sounds simple, but it’s the toughest thing in the NFL to do. You basically have to catch lightning in a bottle. It takes a perfect storm of coaching, talent, and organizational stability to create a winning team and keep them a winning team. That’s why only a handful of teams in the NFL have managed to stay at the top.

So it’s not just a matter of throwing Jon Gruden into the mix, and then everything will be a cakewalk. In fact, the worst thing the Raiders could do at this point is fire Dennis Allen after one season. That’s why it won’t happen.

guest123

In fact, the worst thing the Raiders could do at this point is fire Dennis Allen after one season. That’s why it won’t happen.

*************

Agreed. But a decision should have been made at Reggie’s level to hire the right coaching staff, with Allen’s input of course. But the decision should have been at Reggie’s level. No 40 year old rookie coach should have that much power that soon. Going into next year, DA’s authority in choosing replacements for Knapp and Tarver should be made unilaterally by Reggie. DA needs to have his duties streamlined and authority stripped.

inonewordraider

I don’t believe Allen is going anywhere, Reggie Mck believes in the guy and he was actually a hot prospect. First time our organization got a hot prospect to actually come coach this franchise in a long time. But what makes anybody in here think we’ll win more than four games this season? Is that acceptable even in a rebuilding year? Who do we rebuild around?

Agreed. But a decision should have been made at Reggie’s level to hire the right coaching staff, with Allen’s input of course. But the decision should have been at Reggie’s level. No 40 year old rookie coach should have that much power that soon. Going into next year, DA’s authority in choosing replacements for Knapp and Tarver should be made unilaterally by Reggie. DA needs to have his duties streamlined and authority stripped.

=====================

Sorry, that’s how real franchises do things. I’m sure McKenzie was involved, but I’m also sure he was handed a short list by Allen.

I’m not saying that Allen’s hires were without fault. But you don’t forge a relationship between the front office and coaching staff by undermining the guy you apparently had enough confidence in to hire in the first place.

Was I thrilled with Knapp being hired, or Fassel being let go? Nope. But I’d be much less thrilled if McKenzie was the type of GM who imposed a “my way or the highway” ultimatum on his coaching staff. The Raiders just had that kind of management style, and it wasn’t effective.

YoungAmerican

It’s pretty commonplace for head coaches (especially rookie ones) to bring guys in who don’t work out the way they planned. I don’t judge them for that necessarily – what I’m going to judge them on is how they address the problems late in the season and after the season.

inonewordraider

o it’s not just a matter of throwing Jon Gruden into the mix, and then everything will be a cakewalk. In fact, the worst thing the Raiders could do at this point is fire Dennis Allen after one season. That’s why it won’t happen.
______________________
your right about the culture being the most important thing but sometimes you don’t get the right guy and if we continue to get blown out it’s obvious DA is not the right guy because regardless of talent a good coach get’s his team to compete and in the afc west we’re not vastly inferior playerwise to the competition yet we look like it. If Gruden, Cowher, or Marty fit within the culture then there’s nothing wrong with bringing them in just because a coach that’s won a superbowl has never retired then won another one. Vermeil retired then came back with the Rams and won. Pete Carroll was an average pro HC went on to be one of the greates college HCs ever then came back to the pros and looks to have a very competetive squad in Seattle, how often does that happen? Marty never won a sb but has won with ever team he’s coached. Gruden never had a good qb with Tampa but managed to win a sb went 11 -5 in 05 and seems to love him some silver and black. Life is dynamic, just because it hasn’t happened before doesn’t mean it won’t happen and retired coaches have come back and coached competetive teams which i’d be more than willing to settle for as that can be a building block on the way to a sb

guest123

Sure, you have to give some authority to the coach you trust to run the franchise. But it’s back to the trust but verify approach.

Ever buy a big screen TV or automobile and the salesman sing praise over how dependable the product is and how reliable it will be? Then when you decide on finally purchasing it, they go on and on about the need for an extended warranty because it could break down at any moment.

That’s kind of similar to giving over all the keys to coach Allen before he’s broken in the car. He needs to be mentored and brought along for his own good and the protection of the franchise.

ron69

We all knew knapp was an idiot but i didn’t know Allen “compete to the end” was a bigger idiot.